Bidding for this lot will end on Tuesday, March 12th. The auction will begin at 9:00AM PDT and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Wednesday, March 13th or Thursday, March 14th.




View this 360 turnaround at full size

A matte painting of the Golden Gate Bridge hand-painted by matte painter Matthew Yuricich for Robert Wise's Star Trek: The Motion Picture. The iconic bridge appeared with futuristic tube additions in 23rd-century San Francisco. The shot was achieved by compositing Yuricich's matte with footage of real moving water and a futuristic shuttle model miniature separately shot by photographic effects director David K. Stewart to lend movement to the frame. After filming, Yuricich bought the painting back from production for $500.

Yuricich worked with his brother Richard, who served as director of photography for photographic effects along with Stewart as well as special photographic effects producer, under Douglas Trumbull and his Future General effects house. The film's groundbreaking SFX photography, as seen in such landmark sequences as the arrival to San Francisco and the final encounter with V'Ger, earned the effects team a nomination for an Academy Award®.

This matte is rendered by Yuricich in mixed media on masonite applied with a black tape border and hand-labeled "US 595" and for shot number "D-1." Yuricich paid special attention to painting the clouds, making them look spontaneous and natural, rather than overly stylized or scenic in such a way that would leave the image feeling unrealistic. Also included is a modern-printed "working composite" photo print that illustrates the final composition of the lot, showing how the live action composited into the final artwork.

The board exhibits chipping in multiple places around its edges with paint splotches and smudging throughout. Dimensions: 80" x 38.25" x 0.5" (203.25 cm x 97.25 cm x 1.5 cm)

Sold without copyright; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Special shipping required; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.



See PDF below for a comprehensive study of this and other lots in the Matthew Yuricich matte painting collection.

Estimate: $8,000 - 16,000

View all lots from STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979)

View all lots from Matthew Yuricich Collection

View all lots from STAR TREK FRANCHISE (1966-PRESENT)